Sims Metal adds to county scrap deal

With summer's end approaching, local lawmakers continued to conduct county business at the last commission meeting.

New issues that faced the commissioners on the Aug 5 agenda included a money saving idea for better animal control as well as legality concerns with Sims Metal Management.

In an effort to combat limited landfill space as well as create a revenue stream, the county contracted with Sims Metal Management to hall its scrap metal away.

The deal allows the company to buy county scrap metal that Sims will then transport elsewhere.

However, Sims recently informed the commission that before the metal is paid for, the company needs a form signed that would guarantee the scrap to be free of hazardous materials.

According to Commissioner Bill Krompel, it is estimated that Sims took away around two to three hundred tons of scrap, which put the company in an obligation of about $10,000 to $15,000 to Carbon County.

The additional requirements for payment sparked concern among commissioners as the county was only informed about the matter after the deal was made.

"I'm opposed to signing this. It's larger than what was originally agreed on," said Commissioner John Jones during the meeting. "If they (Sims) get caught (with hazardous materials under the additional agreement), we're responsible."

Deputy county attorney Christian Bryner informed the commissioners that the only way to get the company to pay out right would be through a lawsuit.

But Bryner added that a better avenue might be to simply negotiate with the company.

As the issue was explored, it appeared that a mistake was made on the Sims' part as the company should have made the requirements apparent during the initial bid.

However it was not clear to county officials if the requirements were government or company regulations.

"We laid out an agreement. They agreed. If these are federal or state regulations, they should have been in the original bid," said Jones.

Krompel indicated that in the past, there have been no such hurdles, and was in agreement that the county should have been informed before bids were competed.

But Krompel pointed out that regardless, the county land fill does not accept the types of materials outlined, to begin with.

"The landfill doesn't accept this type of stuff. But it possible that it could make it in," informed Bryner.

Based on the issues, the commissioners decided to send a letter stating the county's position to Sims in the hope that an agreement can be reached.

"I'll be happy to inform them," said Bryner.

A new tracking program was also examined that could possibly save money on computer chips the county uses to identify lost animals that come into the possession of the local shelter.

The new chips are manufactured by a different company than the county's current provider. The devices about half the price at $4.95 per chip and offer the same performance.

Animal control officer Doreen McCourt presented the idea to the commission. McCourt said the program would involve up front costs, but she believed it can save money in the long run.

"I'm buying chips at least twice a month," said McCourt. "But Spanish Fork is using this system and they're really happy with it."

Jones, who is in charge of animal control, voiced support for the new program. He indicated that the savings could almost pay for the entire program.

"I would like to see a motion come out of this. We'll have to look into it," said Jones.

In an unrelated matter, financial information about county endorsed promotion projects was provided by Price Councilmember Kathy Smith.

Smith reported that the Sunnyside Rodeo only used $792 of its allocated $1,000 and returned the excess. Price city did not use its $640 and returned the money, and East Carbon City never claimed its $2,000 for Community Daze. Money in the amount of $7,000 was also given to the SHS group for a black powder shooting championship.

The only issue that the commission had with allocating money to promotion projects is that the county would like to see more involvement with the Business Expansion And Retention program (BEAR).